Design of masonry mortars fabricated concurrently with different steel slag aggregates

Abstract

The simultaneous application of electric arc furnace slag and ladle furnace white slag, in substitution of natural fine aggregate in masonry mortars, is presented with the principal objective of achieving mixes that show a similar performance to conventional mortars. Materials dosed with steel slag fines at different levels of substitution (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) were designed, employing commercial admixtures in the samples. A comparative study of the most significant mortar properties is conducted, such as workability, adhesiveness, water retentivity and mechanical strength, between the mortars prepared with natural fine aggregate and those manufactured with additions of slag. The results indicate that technically viable mortars may be obtained for their use in construction and building, which thereby achieve the reuse and valorization of waste products that would otherwise be disposed of in landfill sites. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.